Shelbyville, KY

Kentucky · Metropolitan Area

Shelbyville is a small city in Kentucky with a population of 17,436. Residents earn $73,733 per year, which is 2% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
17,436 Population 1,747/sq mi density
$73,733 Median Income $34,104 per capita
$238,600 Home Value $303,659 Zillow
$979 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
168 Violent Crime/100K 1,876 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$73,733 median income, 0.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$238,600 home value, $979/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
168 violent crimes/100K (56% below avg)
B
Education
3.0 / 5.0
25.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $73,733
2% lower than US avg
Home Value $238,600
15% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 168/100K
56% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.3%
25% lower than US avg
Median Rent $979
16% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.9%
75% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.7%
30% lower than US avg

How Shelbyville Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population17,436
Median Age36.8 yrs
Density1,747/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 70%

Economy

A
Median Income$73,733
Per Capita$34,104
Unemployment0.9%
Poverty8.7%
County GDP$2,408M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$238,600
Rent$979
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$303,659

Crime

F
Violent168/100K
Property1,876/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault87/100K
Burglary402/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain49.8 in/yr
Elevation768 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.3%
High School+81.9%
School Score5.50

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 32%
Commute26 min
Libraries2

Is Shelbyville a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Shelbyville receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Shelbyville offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Shelbyville is $73,733, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.9%. 8.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Shelbyville is $238,600, 15% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $979 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Shelbyville is below the national average at 168 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,876 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

25.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Shelbyville experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Shelbyville has a population of 17,436 with a density of 1,747 people per square mile. The median age is 36.8 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (70.4%), with 3.2% Hispanic, 8.7% Black.

Population

17,436
Total Population
1,747
People / sq mi
36.8yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
10.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.7%
Female 51.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Shelbyville vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only81.6%
4% above US avg
Spanish18.4%
37% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Shelbyville vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Shelbyville is $73,733, which is 2% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Shelbyville vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$73,733
2% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,104
Avg Weekly Wage$1,059
IRS Avg AGI$85,240

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.9%
75% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.7%
30% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,594
County GDP$2,408M

Business (County)

Restaurants83
Healthcare115
Retail197
Manufacturing53

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,781
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.00%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.1 min
Work from Home8.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Shelbyville is $238,600, 15% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $979 (16% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $303,659.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$238,600
15% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$303,659
Median List Price$345,030

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$345,030
$/Sq Ft$154
Homes Sold20
Sale-to-List Ratio98.9%
Price Drops43.3%
Inventory67

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$979
16% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$719
1 Bedroom$794
2 Bedrooms$984
3 Bedrooms$1,277
4 Bedrooms$1,442

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied57.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,781
37% above US avg
Effective Rate2.00%

Health Metrics: Shelbyville vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.2%
Premature Death8,676/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access70.1%
Healthcare Facilities115
Shelbyville has a violent crime rate of 168 per 100,000 residents, 56% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,876 per 100,000 (4% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Shelbyville vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent167.5/100K
56% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape6.7/100K
Robbery73.7/100K
Assault87.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,876.1/100K
4% below US avg
Burglary402.0/100K
Theft1,346.7/100K
Vehicle Theft127.3/100K
Arson6.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Shelbyville has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average53.5°F
1% below US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.8 inches
31% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation768 ft (234 m)
Area10.0 sq mi (25.8 km²)
Population Density1,747/sq mi
Coordinates38.2068°N, 85.2306°W
County FIPS21211
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 25.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (25% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 34.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.5%
D 31.8%

Winner: Republican by 34.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.3%
25% below US avg
High School+81.9%
School Test Score5.50
B Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,747/sq mi
Total Area10.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities115
Restaurants83
Retail Stores197

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.1 min
Work from Home8.9%

Nearby Cities

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